I. ˈchärm noun
Etymology: Middle English charme, from Anglo-French, from Latin carmen song, from canere to sing — more at chant
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : the chanting or reciting of a magic spell : incantation
b. : a practice or expression believed to have magic power
2. : something worn about the person to ward off evil or ensure good fortune : amulet
3.
a. : a trait that fascinates, allures, or delights
b. : a physical grace or attraction — used in plural
her feminine charm s
c. : compelling attractiveness
the island possessed great charm
4. : a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain
5. : a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of + 2/3 and a measured energy of approximately 1.5 GeV ; also : the flavor characterizing this particle
• charm·less -ləs adjective
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to affect by or as if by magic : compel
b. : to please, soothe, or delight by compelling attraction
charm s customers with his suave manner
2. : to endow with or as if with supernatural powers by means of charms ; also : to protect by or as if by spells, charms, or supernatural influences
3. : to control (an animal) typically by charms (as the playing of music)
charm a snake
intransitive verb
1. : to practice magic and enchantment
2. : to have the effect of a charm : fascinate
Synonyms: see attract
• charm·er ˈchär-mər noun